Here Comes Christmas Again!

Well, we're in the midst of the holidays again and I dare say we shall survive.  I know I will despite still looking for a permanent job, doing more than one volunteer internship as a grant writer, keeping up with my daughter and trying to do some creative writing too.  Unfortunately, try is all I've done on the creative front lately.  

I did participate in NaNoWriMo last month and successfully wrote over 50,000 words towards a book.  NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month and it was fun but hard work.  I was writing my memoir which is not a usual novel type for NaNo, they prefer that you write fiction.  I was able to participate and win in any case.  Now I have a great start for a project I had wanted to work on for a few years.

As for other creative writing outlets, there have been none lately.  I don't regret that I have been doing grant work and the memoir, but I do miss putting a poem on paper though.  

Despite my lack of poetic creation of late, I do have a holiday poem to share along with the picture that inspired it.  

Our Tree

By Kimberly L. McClune

December 6, 2011

Tall, proud and elegant

Showing its best side

Twinkling, reflecting majesty

An elegant representation

Hours of preparation are forgotten

Lingering on a pillow

Stretched out by a fire

Admiration abounds

Up high, near the top

She looks out across her domain

Peaceful and loving she watches

Holding fast all dreams

All wishes

Beneath the lowest bows

Colorful packages scattered

Bows and ribbons peek out

Small ones teeter on the edge

Large ones impose

From the lawn a gentle glow

Escapes the bare panes

Beckoning all to view

Graceful glinting colors

Lights shining brightly

Never has there been such a one as this

Last year seems ages away

Next year seems it will never come

Only now, only this year

Is our tree the best.

This poem, and even this picture, bring to mind memories and images of Christmases and Christmas trees in my past.  I've decorated both real and artificial trees over the years, some large, some small.  It's never mattered to me what type of tree I adorned with lights, ornaments and tinsel, it only mattered that I was joyful in doing so.  Of course, the decoration of a tree must be accompanied by not only music, but the presence of family and/or friends to make the experience complete.  I don't believe that a tree can be properly decorated by just one person.  At least, that's my experience.  The more the merrier!!!

So as you do your traditional things for the holidays this year, make sure to enjoy everything.  If you find things getting boring or you feel its no fun anymore, change things up and make them fun.  No matter what holiday you celebrate at this time of year, take the time to embrace the joy that it brings for you.  Also, embrace your friends and family and remind them just how much they mean to you.

Happy Holidays!